to homeschool or not……

In September our little Emily is supposed to be starting a preschool program for special needs children at our local elementary school. Right now they come to our house for her occupational therapy and speech therapy, but that ends when she turns 3 in August. If we want to continue to receive those therapies……….we have no choice but to use the school system.

Other option = HOMESCHOOL her

Our daughter can’t communicate well and is actually still very baby-like (for lack of a better word). My husband and I dread the thought of her being in a classroom feeling scared and lost. Lost because she is very anxious when taken out of her element/our home.

We understand the need for children to be around other childrenit’s good for them and we know that.

So here’s a thought……

one option could be to keep her home and I myself continue her therapies, then when she is 5 we can make the decision whether or not she could make the transition into the school system

another option is for us to just get over our fears and let her start in the fall.

I am not a certified therapist, but I have begun to understand the best ways for our daughter to learn. I think that teachers, etc. are always trying to learn better ways to teach children with developmental delays.

Why shouldn’t it be me?

So I am asking for your comments on the subject.Leave a note letting me know what you think.

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I had trouble with our son when he was 2. My mom had said, “Put him in preschool–it will help him get adjusted for regular school…” It was a wrong decision. He is doing so much better now, but he’s 7. He was NOT ready for preschool–a private Christian pre-school. A mom’s heart knows best, Christina. Do what you think is best for Emily. In my humble opinion, hold on to her and give her your loving teaching. You can always TRY preschool if you feel you must–it does work well at our present school (public and in Central Florida). She might make great friends and the teachers may be LOVING. However, you can always monitor how it is working for Emily and pull her out. As parents, who will look out for our babies best if we don’t? You’re in our prayers……..:)

A lot of people homeschool because of various special needs. And there are a lot of opportunities for children to get together, though it may take some planning and research. In my experience, the homeschooled kids in various groups we’ve been involved with have been way more tolerant of differences in the children.

If she’s more comfortable in your own home then it might be better to homeschool her. Of course, you can always give the preschool a shot and if it doesn’t work out then do homeschooling. You never know, she could surprise you and do well.

Oh, what a decision to make. Knowing how Emily is, and how she is used to her environment, but then to put her in with other children? And then knowing the school system here…ugh!! I say follow your heart, and do what you think is best for her. Like some else had mentioned I am sure that there are other services out there for her, but you will need to look into it. Seeing what I have seen, with the special needs children, and the classes that I have seen, I’m thinking that it is best for Emily to still be at home. Maybe when she is 4? Do what is in your heart.

Christina, I didn’t have a choice as I worked full time, but it is also something that personally I couldn’t have done…lol… 🙂 I placed Maddie in a special needs preschool when she was 2, they 😉 kicked her out when she was 3…lol they thought she should be in a regular center with children who were using speech. We have had the same one on one for almost 4 years. Maddie LOVES preschool has developed best friends, and I mean best friends. She has also had to learn to communicate with others and in group settings. I personally am very pleased. But it depends on a lot of factors, the center, the staff and if she’d receive supports. Can you do a combo of both? A couple of days at a center and home other times. Just a thought. I am sure no matter what the decision it will be a great one. And nothing is carved in stone…you can always change it..

I ♥ this picture of Emily. It is TOO cute! Maybe you can prepare as if you will keep her at home. And then when the time gets closer decide what will be best for her. Maybe by then you’ll find she’s ready. If not, it still works out for you because you’ll already be ready. :o)

I would have to go with Homeschooling only because my children never attended pre-school but I feel they learned so much from Mommy & T.V. Mine just loved Dora , Nick Jr & Noggin & with little things we did here at home. I would have to pray a little to but I say follow your heart. HUGS !!!

My son had those services too. When it was time, we placed him in the IEP preschool. He LOVED LOVED it. He was in constant care of his speech therapist and his teacher was a God send. He was such a fantastic man and he worked just as hard as the speech therapist did. The second year they placed him in a typical preschool class. I was always that parent that was terrified to send him to school. Scared other kids would make fun of him. He had severe speech issues. He is now in 2nd grade (or almost 3rd as he likes to tell me…lol) and he only has ONE sound left to work on and he may not need it anymore! He has a lovely group of friends and I spent all that time worrying that kids would tease him and no one did.

When they placed him in a typical preschool class the following year, his teachers were in constant contact with the IEP team and he still attended speech. Plus he only went 3 times a week for 2 1/2 hours each day. We loved the preschool so much, we sent our daughter the following year. I never thought I’d do preschool.

Alec has been in a special private school since 2.5 now almost 10 and I too was very nervous. He has done incredibly well, socially, academically, physically. I attribute a lot of this to the school, teachers, therapists and everyone involved in his day to day schedule. Homeschooling is a very personal choice, one that I feel would not be the right decision for Alec, but I do teach Alec many things all the time. I wanted him in a social environment and it has worked out well for him and us. For Alec I felt he needed to be with professionals who could bring out the best in him. I wish you all the best with your decision. Hugs / Kisses